Geriatric Psychiatry of Haldimand Norfolk facilitated a workshop in June 1995 during which community agency participants recognized the need to address elder abuse. A steering committee was struck.

Initial funding was provided by Health Canada through the Partners in Aging Program. The elder abuse project created a resource library, educational manuals, and conducted an abuse survey and public and professional education sessions.

In January 1998 the Ontario Trillium Foundation made funds available for the establishment of a community based and senior-driven interlinking Community Response Network to assist abused and neglected older adults in Haldimand Norfolk. Objectives were to create a sustainable community-based response network, to work to prevent abuse, and to provide non-threatening accessibility to local services.

British Columbia Developing Community Response Networks Program and the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly trained members who would become part of a speakers bureau.

Additional funds sponsored the development of “STOP” (Seniors Together with Other People), the hiring of a coordinator who coached a Senior Peer Support programme and an intergenerational programme.

Today, the network’s two primary focuses are to provide immediate response to abuse, and to increase community awareness and education. A toll free 24 hour phone line is operated by trained staff through Victim Services of Haldimand - Norfolk - New Credit. As abuse becomes apparent to network agency members, an ad hoc committee is called together to enact a plan for immediate help. The network reaches out to the community providing education and awareness through its educational resources, Speakers’ Bureau and education forums.